Required Documents — Umrah (UK pilgrims)
Complete checklist & guidance — passports, visas, vaccinations, photos, special cases and timelines.
Overview — what you must have
Before travel make sure you have the **original documents** listed below, plus scanned copies saved in your email and phone. Carry printed confirmations for flights, hotels and the booking reference from BaytallahTravel.
Essential live items to check before travel: passport validity (≥ 6 months), Umrah visa/e-visa issued, and up-to-date vaccination certificates (meningococcal and other health requirements). See sources at the bottom for current rules.
1. Passport
- Validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of travel. (Check immediately; renew early if needed.)
- Blank pages: At least 1–2 free pages recommended for stamps.
- Scans: Keep a clear scanned copy (PDF) and a photo of the passport bio page in your phone & cloud (email it to yourself).
2. Umrah Visa / e-Visa
- Type: Most pilgrims use the Saudi Umrah/visa or e-visa as applicable to their nationality — confirm the correct visa type with BaytallahTravel.
- Confirmation & validity: Carry the visa approval/confirmation (digital + printed). Recent policy updates may require you to enter Saudi Arabia within a short validity window after issuance — confirm the issue & entry dates. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Booking proof: You may be required to show confirmed hotel & transport bookings when applying for the visa — keep printed confirmations. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
3. Passport Photos
- 1–2 recent passport-size photos (white background, full face, no headwear unless for medical/religious reasons).
- Digital photo (JPEG) saved to your device — visa portals sometimes require upload.
- If your agent requests physical photos, bring extras (4–6 copies) for contingency.
4. Health & Vaccination Certificates
- Meningococcal (MenACWY / quadrivalent): Proof of quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (ACYW135) is typically required for pilgrims — administered at least 10 days before arrival and valid for multiple years depending on vaccine type. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- COVID-19: Saudi MOH guidance may require an updated COVID dose or equivalent proof for certain seasons — check latest MOH guidance before travel. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Other vaccines: Yellow fever or polio may be required if arriving from high-risk countries — consult your GP / travel clinic. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Keep printed vaccination certificates and digital copies (phone & email). If you used the NHS or a private clinic, request an internationally-recognised certificate.
5. Travel Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory — it should cover medical, repatriation, trip cancellation and COVID-related treatment where possible.
- Carry the policy number, emergency phone, and a printed certificate as well as an electronic copy.
6. Flight & Hotel Confirmations
- Printed & digital copies of return flight e-tickets with passenger name exactly matching passport.
- Hotel confirmations for entire stay (Makkah & Madinah) — recent visa rules may require confirmed hotel & transport details for visa issuance. Keep reservation references. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- If your travel includes multi-carrier flights, carry the full itinerary and booking references.
7. UK Residency & ID Proof
- Proof of UK residency (utility bill, council tax, or UK residence permit) — needed for visa applications in some cases.
- National ID (if applicable) — keep photocopies only; do not rely on it for travel in place of a passport.
8. Minors, Families & Spouses
- Children: Each child must have their own passport and visa (if applicable). Carry birth certificates if requested.
- Unaccompanied minors: Additional documents or consent letters may be required — check airline policies.
- Married couples: Some airlines or visa procedures ask for a marriage certificate if a woman is travelling with a husband who is not her mahram — carry a copy if relevant. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
9. Medical & Mobility Documentation
- If you need wheelchair assistance or oxygen, request it in advance and obtain a medical letter describing your condition and needs.
- Carry prescriptions (with generic names) and a letter from your GP for controlled medicines; bring enough supply for the trip plus a small surplus.
- If travelling with medical equipment (battery-powered), check airline rules and carry manufacturer instructions and battery documentation.
10. Special Cases & Dual Nationality
- If you hold dual nationality, use one passport consistently for the whole trip (tickets, visa, hotel). Present the same passport at check-in and immigration.
- Non-UK nationals resident in the UK must carry valid UK residency evidence and passport from their country of citizenship.
Timelines & When to Prepare Documents
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Check passport validity & renew (if needed) | As soon as you plan to travel (2–3 months recommended) |
| Book flights & hotels | At booking time (required for visa in many cases) |
| Apply for Umrah visa / e-Visa | 2–8 weeks before travel (depends on processing) |
| Complete required vaccines (MenACWY) | At least 10 days before travel |
| Obtain travel insurance | After booking & before departure |
Ready to confirm your documents?
Use this checklist before departure — BaytallahTravel will check documents at booking stage.
Live reference & guidance
I checked current public guidance when preparing this page — key live references include UK government travel advice and Saudi health & visa requirements. Always re-check these official sources shortly before departure as rules do change.
- UK travel advice — Saudi Arabia (entry & visa guidance). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Saudi Ministry of Health / Hajj & Umrah health requirements (vaccines & COVID guidance). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- Meningitis (MenACWY) guidance for pilgrims. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Recent visa rule updates requiring confirmed hotel & transport bookings. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}